UNITED STATES TO GLASGOW
Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.
GLASGOW ARRIVAL & SIGHTSEEING
Land in Glasgow and after you disembark, pass through customs an dimmigration checks at the airport. Your CIE Tours guide will meet you at the Arrivals Hall, welcome you to Scotland and assist in transferring you to your motorcoach. Embark on a panoramic tour which will introduce youto the highlights of Glasgow where many fine Victorian buildings are made in local red sanstone. Drive around to Geroge Square, filled with statues of Sir Walter Scott, Queen Victoria and other infulential people. See the Victorian City Chamgers, opened in 1888 by Queen Victoria. Pass Glasgow Cathedral, a splendid 12th century Gothic building dedicted to St. Mungo, patron saint of the city,. Then depart Glasgow and drive alongside the famouch Loch Lomond, renowned in song and also for unsurpassed beauty of the lake and mountains. Drive to the seaside town of Oban where your hotel is located. Enjoy some time to relax and settle in before joining your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: OBAN BAY HOTEL, OBAN INVERARAY CASTLE & OBAN DISTILLERY
Today travel south through the Scottish Highlands and the Trossachs National Park to Inveraray to visit Inveraray Castle, home of the 12th Duke of Argyll. Tour the elaborately decorated castle contains an armory, many historic relics and portrait collection. Then you will have some free time to explore this charming town independently. Return to Oban to visit Oban Distillery, one of the few distilleries to be built, in 1794, before the actual town which sprung up later in the craggy harbor surrounding it. The distillery only has two pot stills, making it one of the smallest in Scotland, producing a whisky that has been described as having a 'West Highland' flavor that falls between the dry, smoky style of the Scottish islands and the lighter, sweeter malts of the Highlands. After a tour and a sample some leisure time before dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: OBAN BAY HOTEL, OBAN LOCH NESS CRUISE & NAIRN
This morning head north through Glencoe, notorious for the Campbell massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. Travel via Fort William which is connected to Inverness by the Caledonian Canal. This canal is formed by Loch Ness and other natural lochs and a series of manmade locks which raise boats from one level to another. At Fort Augustus take a boat ride on Loch Ness, which will give you an opportunity to enjoy the lovely scenery and also look for the famous monster, “Nessie”. Drive along the lakeside and stop at the Official Loch Ness Monster Exhibition at Drumnadrochit to see equipment used in the search for “Nessie”. Continue along the shoreline of Loch Ness, to Inverness. Check into your hotel and enjoy some time to settle in before joing your group for dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: PALACE HOTEL, INVERNESS EXCURSION TO THE ISLE OF SKYE & CLAN DONALD CENTER
This morning drive via Fort William and along the scenic “Road to the Isles” to the port of Mallaig to take the ferry to the Isle of Skye. Arrive in Armadale and visit the Clan Donald Center in Armadale Castle where the history of the Macdonalds and the Lords of the Isles is depicted. Drive through the island to the capital of Portree. Return to Kyleakin and the mainland via the Skye Bridge. Travel along the shoreline of Loch Ness, enjoying views of the tranquil lake, to return to Inverness in time for dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: PALACE HOTEL, INVERNESS CULLODEN VISITOR CENTRE & DISTILLERY TOURS
This morning drive a short distance to Culloden Moor to tour the Visitor Centre. Walk around the battlefield where, on April 16, 1746, British Government forces defeated the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart in just one hour and ended hopes of restoring the Jacobite Stuarts to the British throne. The brutal measures imposed after the battle signaled the end of the distinctive Highland way of life and culture. Then drive along part of the "Whisky Trail" on the River Spey and stop at two distilleries (to be determined) to learn about the making of malt whisky and sample the finished product. Return to Inverness and relax or take a stroll before dining in your hotel once again.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: PALACE HOTEL, INVERNESS EDRADOUR DISTILLERY, STIRLING CASTLE, EDINBURGH & THE BEEHIVE INN
Leaving Inverness, travel south towards Pitlochry to visit the Edradour Distillery. This is Scotland’s smallest distillery set in a picturesque valley. Discover the secrets of making Highland malt whisky and enjoy a “wee dram.” Established in 1825, on land rented from the Duke of Atholl, Edradour is Scotland's smallest distillery. This distillery is located in the hills east of Pitlochry and is operated by just 3 men. In one week it only produces enough spirit to fill 12 casks. Continue to Stirling Castle, perched high on volcanic rock above the surrounding countryside. The Castle features strongly in Scotland’s history, especially for its connections with William Wallace, alias Braveheart, and King Robert the Bruce, Mary, Queen of Scots also lived here for some years. Pass Bannockburn, site of the famous battle between Robert the Bruce and the English and continue south to Edinburgh to your hotel. This evening join your fellow travelers for dinner at the Beehive Inn which is situated at the historic heart of the city overlooking the Grassmarket. Then enjoy a walking ghost tour of Edinburgh, the best way to explore the Old Town of Edinburgh!
Hidden courtyards and gardens are explored and their stories dramatically revealed to bring Edinburgh’s glorious past to life.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: BRUNTSFIELD HOTEL, EDINBURGH EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast meet your city guide and take a tour of Scotland's capital city. Start your sightseeing with a drive through the heart of the city along Princes Street, famous for its shops on one side and gardens on the other. See the 18th century New Town with its broad streets, spacious squares and elegant town houses. Then drive along the Royal Mile and view the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Stop for a guided tour of the imposing Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city on volcanic rock. The afternoon is spent at leisure for you to browse, shop, sightsee and dine independently.
OVERNIGHT: BRUNTSFIELD HOTEL, EDINBURGH RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
Today your vacation has come to its final day. Transfer to Edinburgh Airport in plenty of time to check in for your transatlantic flight or your connecting flight. You may choose to do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores before boarding your aircraft for your transatlantic flight. Enjoy your flight across the Atlantic Ocean back to your hometown in the United States.
